Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record three occasions when Jesus clearly predicted His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-23; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Mark 8:31-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34; Luke 9:22-23; 9:43-45; 18:31-34).
Jesus had hinted concerning His crucifixion, comparing Himself to the bronze serpent raised up on a pole above the Israelite’s camp. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). Jesus also likened Himself to Jonah. “As Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:40). But on three occasions, Jesus didn’t just hint, but spoke clearly, explicitly, unambiguously.
Jesus, looking into the eyes of His dearest friends, explained “that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21). He predicted His sacrificial death and then promised His victorious resurrection.
Later, “as they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus told them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised up’ ” (Matthew 17:22–23).
And then, as they were “going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the way, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised’ ” (Matthew 20:17–19).
How did they take the news? Remember, the Disciples believed the Messiah would sit on David’s royal throne as King. They expected a Lion, not a Lamb. So, how did Peter and his pals respond to the idea that Jesus had come as a Suffering Servant, a Substitutionary Sacrifice, a Lamb to be slaughtered?
“They were deeply distressed” (Matthew 17:23) and “Peter took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him, ‘Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!’ ” (Matthew 16:22). Kindly, compassionately, but ever-so firmly, “Jesus turned and told Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns’ ”(Matthew 16:23).
As you know, though it took him a while, Peter finally came around. Later he wrote “Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).
Hallelujah!
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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